clammy

adjective

clam·​my ˈkla-mē 

clammier; clammiest

1

: being damp, soft, sticky, and usually cool

cold clammy hands

clammy air

2

: lacking normal human warmth

the clammy atmosphere of an institution

clammily

ˈkla-mə-lē 

adverb

clamminess

ˈkla-mē-nəs 

noun

Synonyms

• antiseptic
• arctic
• brittle
• chill
• chilly
• cold
• cold-blooded
• cold-eyed
• coldish
• cool
• frigid
• frosty
• frozen
• gelid
• glacial
• hard-eyed
• icy
• uncordial
• unfriendly
• unsympathetic
• wintry
• wintery

Examples of clammy in a Sentence

His hand was cold and clammy.

after a clammy handshake, the two bitter rivals squared off for a no-holds-barred debate

Recent Examples on the Web

Look out for heat stroke symptoms of nausea, lightheadedness, confusion and clammy skin. —Baltimore Sun Editorial Board, Baltimore Sun, 21 June 2024

Signs of heat exhaustion Heat exhaustion will show up as heavy sweating, weakness or tiredness with cool and clammy skin. —Katie Wiseman, The Indianapolis Star, 21 June 2024

In some cases, people can experience heat exhaustion and have muscle cramps, nausea, weakness and cold or clammy skin, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. —Daniella Segura, Sacramento Bee, 18 June 2024

And some of those symptoms are clammy skin and muscle cramps and dizziness, and those are the precursors to heat stroke. —Dana Taylor, USA TODAY, 16 June 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, probably from clammen to smear, stick, from Old English clǣman; akin to Old English clǣg clay

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

clammy

adjective

clam·​my ˈklam-ē 

clammier; clammiest

: being damp, soft, sticky, and usually cool

clamminess noun

Medical Definition

clammy

adjective

clam·​my ˈklam-ē 

clammier; clammiest

: being moist and sticky

a patient in shock may be cold and clammy

—Emergency Medicine

clammy sweating